occurrence

[uh-kur-uhns, uh-kuhr-]

noun

1. the action, fact, or instance of occurring.

2. something that happens; event; incident.

   We were delayed by several unexpected occurrences.

   Synonyms: circumstance

occurrence

/ əˈkʌrəns /

noun

1. something that occurs; a happening; event

2. the act or an instance of occurring

   a crime of frequent occurrence

Other Word Forms

• occurrent adjective
• preoccurrence noun
• reoccurrence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of occurrence¹

1530–40; < Latin occurrent-, stem of occurrēns (present participle of occurrere “to run up to, run to meet”), from oc- (variant of ob- ; ob- ( def. ) ) + currere “to run” + -ence; compare Medieval Latin occurrentia

Synonym Study

See event.

Example Sentences

But these explosive yet inane occurrences have become commonplace.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Ron Chenery, a volunteer of two years, said finding phones was a regular occurrence.

Read more on BBC

Heavy rain is a routine occurrence in Belém, considered the gateway to the Amazon, with some 10 inches falling on average each month.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In footage of the incident, Lucey and another reporter could be heard trying to talk at the same time -- a common occurrence as journalists in the press corps try to get the president's attention.

Read more on Barron's

But unexpected things had become such a frequent occurrence lately, nothing really surprised Penelope anymore.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• accident 
• circumstance 
• episode 
• existence 
• incidence 
• incident 
• instance 
• manifestation 
• situation